Container with lid

ABSTRACT

A container with lid, in particular a bucket with lid, has a container wall, a container bottom and a container opening, which is defined by an upper edge of the container, and structure in the upper part of the container for fixing the lid or a peripheral, inwardly protruding frame, to which the lid can be detachably locked. The container wall has on its upper part an outwardly protruding shoulder, such that containers can be stacked one into the other. To provide a container with lid which can be easily manufactured at low cost, if possible also by an in-mold labeling process, at least one radially outwardly and/or axially projecting protrusion ( 16, 30 ) is provided on a shoulder ( 12 ) on the outside thereof, wherein (a) an upper container rim ( 5 ) is provided with at least one recess ( 35 ), which when the containers are stacked one into the other is engaged by the at least one protrusion ( 30 ) of the shoulder ( 12 ) while preventing twisting, and/or wherein (b) the at least one axially projecting protrusion ( 16 ) extends at least around a part of the container ( 1 ) and radially outwardly engages behind an upper rim portion ( 5, 7 ) of a respective lower one of the stacked containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container with lid, in particular a bucketwith lid, the container comprising a container wall, a container bottomand a container opening, which is defined by an upper edge of thecontainer, and structure in the upper part of the container for fixingthe lid or a peripheral, inwardly protruding frame to which the lid canbe detachably locked. The container wall has on its upper part anoutwardly protruding shoulder, such that the containers can be stackedone into the other.

Various containers of this kind are known, and they can be dimensionedwith a relatively large volume to store, for example, coating compounds,foodstuffs or the like. Such containers can have a capacity of ≧1-5liters. The filled containers must not only be tight, they must alsomeet various other requirements. For instance, the containers should beproducible by an in-mold labeling process, in which case the containershould not have any inwardly protruding projections or fins, so that thecontainer can be temporarily stabilized by a peripheral supportingdevice. Further, also the outer wall of the container should often bewithout protrusions. On the other hand, for the separation of thecontainers, for instance during the manufacturing process, means forsecuring the stacked containers against twisting are provided. Further,to save raw material, the containers should be as lightweight aspossible, so that external peripheral flanges with a downwardly extendedrim portion, as usually provided, should be avoided. But this entails arisk that containers which are stacked one into the other become wedgedat larger stack heights, whereby the label on the outside is damaged ora separation of the containers is made more difficult.

In most cases this risk cannot be removed even by the outwardlyprotruding shoulder, because this shoulder frequently protrudes only arelatively short distance. On the other hand, such a risk could beremoved by employing stacking connectors arranged on the inside of thecontainer and by limiting the nesting height of the containers. This,however, would make it more difficult or even impossible to carry out anin-mold labeling process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing acontainer with lid which can be easily and inexpensively manufactured,if possible also by an in-mold labeling process.

The container may have at least one recess in a peripheral rim that isprovided in an upper part of the container. This recess is engaged by aprotrusion provided on the outside of another container on a shoulderthereof, while being secured against twisting when the containers arestacked one into the other. This securing of the containers againstbecoming twisted relative to each other allows automatic separation ofthe containers while preventing in-mold labels, which may be provided onthe outside of the container, from being damaged. The recess on theinner wall of the container is upwardly open. The recess can be formedas a break-through or a hollow of the container wall. This recess canalso extend only over a part of the thickness of the container wall,thus being a kind of an inward bulging or impression, provided that thisinward bulging or impression can be engaged by a protrusion axiallyprojecting from the shoulder of a container to be nested, in a fashionsecured against twisting.

The peripheral rim provided on the upper part of the container can bethe free upper edge of the container defining the container opening.Should the container have several peripheral shoulders in the form of acascade-like, upwardly expanding container opening, so that severaloutwardly protruding shoulders with an increasing diameter are provided,the protrusion for instance which downwardly projects from the shoulderof the container on the outside thereof can engage in a recess of aperipheral rim that is formed by the container inner side of such ashoulder, if need be, in a fashion secured against twisting.

Alternatively or additionally, the protrusion provided on the shoulderon the outside of the container and preferably axially projectingtowards the bottom of the container can extend all around or at leastaround a part of the container and engage behind an upper rim on therespective lower one of the nested containers while preventing radialexpansion. Here, too the upper rim of the container which is engagedfrom behind can constitute the upper edge of the container defining thecontainer opening or can be formed by an additional shoulder, forinstance in a case where a container has a cascade arrangement ofshoulders.

Thus, the container according to the invention can be particularlyeasily manufactured by an in-mold labeling process, without the risk ofdamaging the label, and because the containers are secured againsttwisting they can be securely prevented from becoming stuck one into theother, thus impeding separation thereof, even if the containers areheavy and the stacking height is large. Further, a container accordingto the invention may dispense with a peripheral flange having a rimportion extended downwardly towards the bottom of the container, whichrim portion at least substantially extends vertically or slightlyinclined to the main axis of the container and mainly serves tostabilize the container wall in the region of the container openingand/or to support a carrying handle. Such flanges are usually providedwith radial reinforcement ribs connecting the vertically downwardlydirected rim portion to the outside of the container. In such flangesthe outer rim of the lid around the upper edge of the container extendsdownwards at least almost as far as to the flange.

The protrusions of the container which are arranged on the outside ofthe container can also be molded to the container wall that extendsvertically or is sloped downwardly to the bottom of the container. Ifneed be, the protrusions can project radially outwardly over theshoulder. Preferably, they terminate flush with an outer edge of theshoulder or recede towards the container wall with respect to this outeredge. If need be, these protrusions can be slightly spaced from thecontainer wall, even if this is not preferred. The protrusions can alsobe slightly spaced from the shoulder in the vertical direction and canbe molded for instance to the downwardly sloping container wall.Preferably, they are molded to the bottom side of the shoulder.Preferably, the vertical distance of the protrusions to the shoulder, ifprovided at all, is less than the height of the protrusions themselves,≦½ or ≦¼ of the height of the protrusion.

The axial extension of the recess of the container rim receiving theanti-twist protrusions and/or the axial extension of the anti-twistprotrusions themselves can be smaller than or equal to 4 to 8 times,smaller than or equal to 2 to 3 times or smaller than or equal to thesingle thickness of the container wall. The peripheral extension of thecontainer rim and/or the anti-twist protrusions can be smaller than orequal to 15 to 20 times, smaller than or equal to 8 to 10 times, smallerthan or equal to 4 to 6 times or smaller than or equal to 2 to 3 timesor one time the thickness of the container wall. This can respectivelyapply to the thickness of the container wall directly above or below theshoulder.

The shoulder can protrude radially outwardly from the container wall atan amount smaller than or equal to 8 to 10 container wall thicknesses,smaller than or equal to 4 to 6 or smaller than or equal to 2 to 3 oralso smaller than or equal to one container wall thickness. This canapply to the thickness of the container wall directly above or below theshoulder, and this can also apply when the shoulder is constructed as aradially protruding fin.

The at least one protrusion which projects axially from the shouldertowards the bottom of the container can have a height which is smallerthan or equal to 5 times or smaller than or equal to 3 to 4 times,smaller than or equal to 1 to 2 times or smaller than or equal to 0.5times the height of the radial extension of the shoulder. The height ofthe protrusion which projects axially from the shoulder towards thebottom of the container can also be smaller than or equal to 5 times orsmaller than or equal to 3 to 4 times, smaller than or equal to 1 to 2times or smaller than or equal to 0.5 times the thickness of thecontainer wall directly above or below the shoulder. The radialthickness of the protrusion can be smaller than that of the containerwall, e.g. smaller than or equal to ¾, smaller than or equal to ½ orsmaller than or equal to ⅓ of the thickness of the container wall.

The container can have articulation links on its wall, for holding acarrying handle, for instance in the form of radially protruding pinswhich are preferably attached directly to the wall of the container andnot to a peripheral flange. In the region of the articulation links thewall of the container can have a greater wall thickness. The recessesfor receiving the anti-twist protrusions and/or the anti-twistprotrusions themselves can be arranged in the region of the articulationlinks. For instance, a recess and an associated anti-twist protrusioncan be arranged directly above the articulation link. Also two suchrecesses and/or protrusions can be arranged on both sides of thearticulation link, preferably at a short distance in the circumferentialextension thereto. If need be, the recesses and/or anti-twistprotrusions can be provided also in different circumferential regions ofthe container.

The shoulder of the container wall can be so constructed that itrequires a change of the cross section also on the inner side of thecontainer, for instance in the form of a step, a radial offset or achange of the inclination of the inner wall of the container. If needbe, the inner wall of the container can also be formed to besubstantially continuous at the level of the shoulder. The shoulder mayrequire an enlargement of the container inner radius of the containercross section above the shoulder compared to the container cross sectionbelow the shoulder. If need be, the shoulder can also be constructed asa fin of the outside wall of the container, which fin extends all aroundthe periphery of the container or only around a part of the periphery ofthe container. Recesses for receiving the anti-twist protrusions canalso be provided on a fin arranged on the outside of the container belowthe upper edge thereof. The peripheral fin can be at least substantiallyfree from a vertically downwardly extending, downwardly drawn portion. Asection of the fin which extends vertically downwardly from the bottomside of the fin can be smaller than or equal to 3 to 4 times, smallerthan or equal to 1 to 2 times or smaller than or equal to 0.5 times theheight of the fin portion molded to the wall. The height of the fin canbe smaller than or equal to 3 to 5 times or smaller than or equal to 2to 3 times the height of the recesses and/or the thickness of the wallof the container at the level of the fin. The radial extension of thefin can be smaller than or equal to 4 to 6 times, preferably smallerthan or equal to 2 to 3 times or smaller than or equal to 1 time theheight of the fin.

The anti-twist protrusions can also be hook-shaped, for engaging in therecesses. The recesses can be generally constructed also in the form oftwo mutually spaced lateral stoppers. The anti-twist protrusions can begenerally provided on the respective lower one of the stackedcontainers, and the recesses accommodating these protrusions can beprovided on the respective upper one of the stacked containers.

Preferably the outer wall of the container is free from protrusions,except of the projecting shoulder and/or the regions for supporting thecarrying handle.

The protrusions forming an anti-twist device and/or the protrusionspartly preventing an axial expansion each can be provided withreinforcing parts. In particular, the protrusions forming an anti-twistdevice, which may generally extend substantially in the radialdirection, and the protrusions which extend at least partly around thecircumference of the container can be molded one to the other. Theanti-twist protrusions can recede in height over protrusions engagingbehind the rim of the container or they can terminate at leastsubstantially flush with the same.

It will be understood that also several protrusions can be providedwhich extend at least around a part of the periphery of the containerand which are equally distributed over the periphery of the container.If need be, only one protrusion or rim can be provided running allaround the container and extending from the protruding shoulder towardsthe bottom of the container.

Preferably, the container is so constructed that the upper one of thenested containers is seated by its shoulder or peripheral fin on thecontainer rim of the lower container, preferably on the free upper edgeof the container defining the container opening.

Preferably, the upper part of the container wall includes a radiallyinwardly and/or outwardly directed constriction by which a peripheralfin is formed on the upper container wall, which fin is set back fromthe outside and/or inside of the container. The at least one protrusionof a nested container, which extends all or at least partly around thecontainer, can engage behind the fin on the external side. This avoidsradial expansion during stacking the containers, even in the case oflarge stacking heights. At the same time the set back part of the upperwall of the container can completely or at least partly accommodate adownwardly extending continuous peripheral rim portion of the lid. Thelid can terminate flush with the outside of the container. Thiscorrespondingly applies to a downwardly extending external peripheralrim portion of a frame to which a lid can be fixed. Accordingly, the fincan extend upwards, in particular at least substantially parallel oronly slightly inclined to the main axis of the container, preferably inextension of the container wall. The inclination of the fin to the mainaxis of the container can be smaller than or equal to ±20° or ±10°. Theupper edge of the fin can constitute the upper edge of the container.

In particular, on the upper part of the container wall structure forfixing the lid and/or the lid-fixing frame can be provided, particularlyin the form of a lock constructed as a radially protruding peripherallocking rim. In particular, these locks can be provided on a preferablyupwardly extending fin molded to the upper part or upper rim of thecontainer wall. The radial inside or outside of the fin can merge intothe inner wall of the container continuously and preferably stepless orwithout offset. Thus the fixing or locking means provided on the fin canbe arranged on the radial outside or on the radial inside of the fin.The fin preferably has a smaller radial wall thickness than thecontainer wall.

It will be understood that the anti-twist protrusions can generallyengage in recesses of a shoulder or fin of an upper one of nestedcontainers, i.e. “from below,” though an engagement “from above” ispreferred.

For stabilizing the upper part of the container, it is preferred for thecontainer wall above the shoulder to become thicker towards the upperedge of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a container with lidaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of nested containers accordingto FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further partial cross-sectional view of nested containersaccording to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed lateral view of a container according to FIG. 1;and

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 6 are schematic cross-sectional, partial views of twofurther embodiments of containers according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The container 1 according to one embodiment of the invention andillustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a container wall 2, a containerbottom 3 and a container opening 4, which is defined by an upper rim 5of the container wall. In the upper part 6 of the container wall, namelyin this embodiment on the upper edge 7 of the container, fixing means 10for fixing a lid or an inwardly protruding peripheral frame 8, to whicha lid 9 can be detachably fixed, are provided. The fixing means can beparticularly constructed as a locking rim extending all around and, ifneed be, also as a number of locking protrusions distributed over theperiphery of the container. The container wall 2 includes in its upperpart below the fixing means an outwardly protruding shoulder 12. Thisshoulder can be formed on the inner surface of the container also in theform of a step or a radial offset or, if need be, the inner wall of thecontainer at this position can also be formed substantially continuousor so as to exhibit merely a change in its angle with respect to thecontainer main axis 13. However, the shoulder requires an enlargement ofthe container inner radius of the container cross section 15 a above theshoulder compared to the container cross section 15 b below the same.Further the containers are designed for being stacked one into theother, for which purpose the container wall may be conically taperingtowards the bottom of the container, at least in the region below theprotruding shoulder 12.

On or in the region of the shoulder 12 on the outer surface of thecontainer at least one protrusion 16 axially projecting towards thecontainer bottom 3 can be provided. According to the embodiment, thisprotrusion is formed as a radial rim extending all around, but it canalso be provided in the form of two, three or a plurality of protrusionsdistributed over the container periphery. It may be sufficient for theseprotrusions to extend only around a part of the container periphery.With the containers stacked one into the other (see FIG. 2) theprotrusion 16 can radially outwardly engage behind an upper rim portion,which here constitutes the upper edge 7 of the container, while avoidinga radial expansion of the lower one, 1 b, of the stacked containers.Here the protrusion 16 is provided on the upper container 1 a. When thecontainers are stacked one into the other, the bottom side 17 of theshoulder 12 on the outside of the container can be generally seated onthe upper edge 7 of the container, thus producing an annular abutment.The bottom side 17 of the shoulder can also be slightly spaced from theupper edge 7 of the container.

Further, the container is so constructed that, when the containers arestacked one into the other, the outer wall 18 of the upper container 1 ais only slightly radially spaced from the inner wall 19 of the lowercontainer 1 b at the level of the shoulder 12, for instance ≦3 to 5times, ≦1 to 2 times or ≦0.5 to 0.75 times the wall thickness of thelower container directly below and/or directly above the shoulder 12.The outer wall 18 of the upper container 1 a at the level of theshoulder 12 of the lower container 1 b can also rest against the innerwall 19 of the lower container. This considerably increases thestability of the container stack. This can apply quite generally andindependently of the embodiment.

The upper part 20 of the container wall can have a radially inwardlydirected constriction 21 forming a peripheral fin 22 set back from theouter surface 18 of the container. The fin can extend essentiallyaxially, i.e. without or with only a small angle to the container mainaxis and, if need be, in axial extension of the container wall. The atleast partly circumferential axial protrusion 16 can engage behind thefin 22 on its external side when the containers are stacked, so that thefin is fixed in the radial direction or prevented from a radialexpansion by the protrusion. The protrusion can engage behind the finwith a certain minor play in the radial direction, for instance with aradial distance ≦1 to 2 times the container wall thickness, or it canrest against the outside of the fin substantially without force or undera certain biasing when the containers are stacked one into the other.

The fin 22 has attached or molded to it fixing means 10, which in thepresent case are constructed as locking means or more precisely as acircumferential locking rim. The fixing means 10 serve to fix a lidand/or a lid-fixing frame 8. The fixing means can be arranged on ormolded to the outside of the fin 22, if need be, also to the inside. Asshown by FIG. 1, the radially outside downwardly extended rim portion 26of the frame or of the container can terminate flush with the outer wallof the container or can slightly protrude outwardly. The frame or lidmay include an annular downwardly open groove 24, which completely or atleast partly accommodates the fin 22 and can be drawn downwards on thecontainer wall as far as below the fin.

The part 27 of the container wall above the shoulder 12 can increase inits wall thickness towards the upper edge 7 of the container,particularly towards the base of the fin 22. The inner wall of thecontainer above the shoulder 12 can be slightly inclined towards thecontainer main axis 13, i.e. radially inwardly.

Further, according to the FIGS. 3 and 4, several protrusions 30, in thepresent embodiment four protrusions 30, neighboring each other areequally distributed over the periphery and are arranged on both sides ofthe articulation link 31 for fixing a handle 33. The protrusions atleast approximately define the reinforcement region 32 of the part ofthe container wall on which the respective articulation link isarranged, for instance in the form of a pin. In this embodiment thecircumferential extension of these protrusions 30 substantiallycorresponds to the radial extension, but it can also be larger. Further(see FIG. 3), the protrusions are molded to the outer wall 18 of thecontainer on their side facing the center of the container. Here, theaxial and/or circumferential extension of the protrusions 30substantially corresponds to one or two times the wall thicknessdirectly below or above the shoulder 12. The protrusions 30 can also beconstructed as strips that extend over a greater circumferentialdistance.

The protrusions 30 have associated in the upper part of the container,in the embodiment on the upper edge 7 of the container, a correspondingor even higher number of recesses 35, which are engaged by theprotrusions while securing the containers against twisting when thecontainers are stacked one into the other. The circumferential extensionof the recess can substantially correspond to that of the engagingprotrusions 30 or can be larger than that. The axial depth of therecesses substantially corresponds to the height of the protrusions. Thebottom side of the shoulder 12 can rest on the upper edge 7 of thecontainer disposed thereunder. The lower edge of the protrusions can beslightly spaced from the lower edge of the recess or can alsoessentially be seated on this lower edge. The circumferential extensionof the recesses 35 essentially corresponds to their axial extension oris slightly larger, as in the embodiment. Instead of the recesses whichextend over the entire thickness of the container wall or instead ofupwardly open breakthroughs also pocket-like recesses can be provided,which extend over a part of the thickness of the container wall or whichare closed on one side or on both sides, as long as these recesses canreceive the protrusions of the nested container, while securing thiscontainer against twisting. The anti-twisting engagement of theprotrusions in the recesses considerably facilitates automaticseparation of the containers.

As illustrated by FIG. 3, the recesses can partly or almost fully breakthrough the fixing means 10 constructed as a locking rim, but thelocking rim can also be arranged below the recesses. The protrusion 16can terminate with its bottom side or lower edge at least substantiallyflush with the bottom side of the protrusions 30 or can project axiallytowards the bottom with respect to the protrusions, so that theprotrusions 30 can be covered in side view. The protrusions 30 can alsoproject downwards with respect to the protrusion 16. The protrusions 30and the at least one or more protrusions 16 are molded to each other andmerge into each other and are thus stabilized.

The axial extension of the protrusions 16 and/or the protrusions 30 canbe ≦3 to 4 times or ≦1 to 2 times the thickness of the container wall,independently of the embodiment, and approximately half the thickness ofthe container wall in the embodiment.

The protrusion 16, which preferably extends all around the periphery,can partly overlap the height of the fixing means attached to the fin ofthe upper rim of the container. This can apply independently of theembodiment. Further, the protrusion 16, which is arranged on theshoulder and extends at least around a part of the periphery, can atleast partly and preferably only partly overlap the fin provided on andupwardly protruding from the upper rim of the container and constrictedwith respect to the container, particularly in the upper part of thefin, where also the fixing means for a lid and/or frame can be arranged.

The shoulder having the at least one protrusion arranged thereon, whichpreferably protrudes towards the bottom of the container, can also begenerally constructed merely as a peripheral fin 50 of the outer wall ofthe container 51. FIGS. 5 a, 5 b show the container in various crosssections corresponding to the FIGS. 2, 3. The inner wall 52 of thecontainer, at the level of a shoulder which is constructed in this way,can at least substantially be straight or continuous, without a shoulderor step or also without a change of the angle of inclination on theinside of the container. Here, the fin preferably extends essentiallyonly outwardly in the radial direction, i.e., it does not have adownwardly extended rim portion, except of the protrusion 16, which ismolded to it and which extends in the axial direction. Here, too the finpreferably includes anti-twist protrusions 30 on its bottom side. Theseprotrusions 30 can each engage in a recess 35 of an upper rim of thecontainer, e.g., of the upper edge 7 of the container. Incidentally,what has been mentioned above also completely applies to forming theprotrusions which extend around a part of the periphery and whichprevent expansion and/or twisting. The axial extension of the fin havingthe at least one protrusion 16, 30 arranged thereon can correspond tothat of the shoulder according to the embodiment illustrated in theFIGS. 1 to 4. It can be smaller than or equal to 5 to 10 times, smallerthan or equal to 2 to 3 times or approximately 1 time the thickness ofthe container wall.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment in whichthe container 60 includes a cascade-like stepped outer wall havingseveral, for example two, shoulders 61, 62. Here, the upper and/or lowershoulder 61, 62 can be accompanied by an increasing cross section of theinterior of the container, but this is not always absolutely required.

On the outside of the container on the lower shoulder 62 a protrusion 65is indicated, which axially projects towards the bottom 64 of thecontainer and which fully or at least partly extends around theperiphery. If several containers 60 are stacked one into the other, thisprotrusion 65 can engage a channel-shaped recess 66 provided on theupper rim of the container. The bottom side 69 of the shoulder 62 can beseated on or slightly spaced from the rim 67 of the channel-shapedrecess 66, for example by less than one to three times the thickness ofthe container wall. Further on the lower shoulder 62 a substantiallyradially extending projection 68 (schematically shown) is arranged,which can engage in a corresponding recess in the region of the uppershoulder 61, for instance in a recess of the rim 67 of thechannel-shaped recess 66 (illustrated by a broken line), so as toprevent twisting. The bottom side of the shoulder 62, also in itsconstruction as a radially protruding fin on the container wall, canextend substantially horizontally or also be inclined with respect tothe main axis of the container, especially sloping downwards.Incidentally, what has been described above with regard to theembodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 can also fully apply to the presentembodiment in which the protrusions 65, 68 can correspond to theprotrusions 16, 30.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A container with lid, the container comprising a container wall, acontainer bottom, a container opening defined by an upper edge of thecontainer, a lid, and (a) fixing means in an upper part of the containerwall for fixing the lid or (b) a peripheral, inwardly protruding frame,to which the lid can be detachably locked, wherein the container wallincludes an outwardly protruding shoulder on its upper part, and whereinplural containers can be stacked one into another, wherein externally onthe shoulder at least one protrusion is provided which projects radiallyand/or axially outwardly from the container wall, and wherein: (1) anupper rim of the container is provided with at least one recess which,when plural containers are stacked one into another, is engaged by theat least one protrusion of the shoulder to form an anti-twist device, or(2) the at least one protrusion projects axially at least around a partof the container and radially outwardly engages behind an upper rimportion of a respective lower one of stacked containers, or (3) an upperrim of the container is provided with at least one recess which, whenplural containers are stacked one into another, is engaged by the atleast one protrusion of the shoulder to form an anti-twist device andthe at least one protrusion projects axially at least around a part ofthe container and radially outwardly engages behind an upper rim portionof a respective lower one of stacked containers.
 2. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the recess of the upper rim of thecontainer is arranged on an upper edge of the container and a containerrim portion engaged by the axially projecting protrusion is the upperedge of the container.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein anaxial extension of one or more components of the group consisting of (i)the recess of the container rim, (ii) the anti-twist protrusions and(iii) the axially projecting protrusions is smaller than or equal toeight times a thickness of the container wall.
 4. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein a circumferential extension of the recessof the container rim or of the anti-twist protrusions or of the recessand the protrusions is smaller than or equal to eight times a thicknessof the container wall.
 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein aradial extension of the shoulder is smaller than or equal to four timesa thickness of the container wall.
 6. The container according to claim1, wherein the container includes a handle supported on the containerwall by articulation links and the recesses and the anti-twistprotrusions are arranged in a region of the articulation links.
 7. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the radiallyprojecting anti-twist protrusions is molded to the at least oneprotrusion which engages behind a container rim portion.
 8. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the container is so constructedthat, when plural containers are stacked one into another, a bottom sideof the shoulder of an upper one of the containers on an external side ofthe container is seated on an upper edge of a lower one of thecontainers.
 9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the upperpart of the container wall includes a radially inwardly or outwardlydirected constriction formed by a fin all around the upper part, whereinthe fin is set back from an outside or an inside of the container. 10.The container according to claim 9, wherein the at least one axialprotrusion engages behind the fin externally.
 11. The containeraccording to claim 9, wherein fixing means or the frame that fixes thelid is formed on the fin.
 12. The container according to claim 11,wherein the fixing means are situated on a radial outside of the fin.13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container wall abovethe shoulder increases in its thickness towards the upper edge of thecontainer.
 14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the containeris a bucket with a handle.